I’ve been getting a lot, a lot of questions about Eschatology lately so welcome to your briefing on the topic; Eschatology 101.
I want to cover a few basics, just scratch the surface on Eschatology so that you can be aware of it as you read further into the topic in your own personal studies. Be sure to check out the resources at the bottom of this post for more in depth analysis of each of these PLUS more viewpoints.
DEFINITIONS
Definitions can be a helpful way to anchor conversation as we begin to grasp concepts.
While the word Eschatology is not used in scripture, it is discussed throughout the Bible, thus making it a doctrine of theology. An important doctrine to have some framework on at that. Here are a few definitions to know as you move forward into Eschatology 101.
THEOLOGY : This simply means, the study of the nature of God. [theo] is greek for God and [logy] means the study of, or subject of interest.
ESCHATOLOGY : The part of theology concerned with the end times. End times including both humanity and creation. [Escha] from the greek work Eskhatos meaning ‘last’ and again, [logy] meaning the study of, or subject of interest.
METANARRATIVE OF THE BIBLE : This is the whole universal plan of God worked through his creation and focusing primarily on God’s people.
MILLENIUM : Either a literal or figurative thousand year reign of Christ. This is from Revelation 20 which speaks of a thousand year reign. The Eschatological viewpoints will revolve around the interpretation of this event and these verses.
TOP 3 VIEWS
Because this is Eschatology 101 we are only going to cover, scratch the surface of the top three Eschatological viewpoints, know there are others and even variations within those as well. In addition to interpretation of the Millennium, there will be variances in the promised second coming of Christ. Scripture does promise us a second coming and return of Christ. It will be an actual literal event (Acts 1:9-11). Again, these views will revolve around the interpretations of that return and the millennium. I will not go into all the details of why interpretations are as they are (as this is Eschatology 101) but be sure to check out further resources below to investigate those.
AMILLENNIALISM
First is the view point of Amillennialism. This view point would assert that there is no future millennium. That those who have died have gone to heaven and they are currently reigning with Christ in heaven. At the second coming, the return of Christ, there will be all the end times events at once. A judgement (2: Cor. 5:10, Rev. 20:11-15) will occur and there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21) at this time as well. From there we will enter into the eternal state.
Postmillennialism
Next is the viewpoint of Postmillennialism. In this view, as the prefix post suggests, the return or second coming of Christ will come AFTER, or POST the millennium. Within this view there is a belief that the church age will gradually shift into the millennium. This is due to the expansion of the church. Meaning, more and more people will turn their hearts to Christ. Of all the views, this is the most optimistic. It’s optimistic because it believes the gospel truly has the power to do this. The power to shift enough hearts, to change culture!
It is after the millennium, which could be a literal thousand years or a significant amount of time, Christ would then return. That is then when the judgement of all believers would take place, the new heaven and earth would be established and we would move into the enteral state.
Premillennialism
Lastly, in Eschatology 101 we have the viewpoint of Premillennialism. Just as we noticed the prefix in the previous viewpoint, we can notice the prefix PRE here to mean before. In this viewpoint, the return of Christ is going to happen before the millennium.
At the return of Christ there will be a “catching up of believers to be with Christ” also referred to as “the Rapture” (1 Th. 4:1-18, 1 Cor. 15:50-52, John 14:1-3) to reference some of this truth. At that same time there will be a tribulation, a time of immense suffering before the millennium begins. Some would believe that this is a literal thousand years, while others within this view would hold to it as being a long period of time.
At the end of the millennium there would be the time rebellion. Satan will be let loose (Rev. 7-10) and then defeated, there will be a final judgment and it is only after that final judgement will the eternal state begin.
WHY?
Why even study Eschatology at all?
In all honestly, and this may come as a shock to those reading this, but Eschatology is not on the top of my theological interests. I am not willing to die on any of these hills, in terms of which viewpoint is right or wrong. However, a well balanced theology must include eschatology. It’s imperative to be informed, to be prepared. It is so because scripture tells us it is so. Also, the way in which you view eschatology will influence your worldview and many other biblical interpretations.
Additionally, scripture is very clear in telling us that the second coming of Christ will take place and that it will be a literal event (Acts1:9-11). Knowing and understanding Eschatology helps us to prepare our hearts for the coming Christ.
Lastly, not only does understanding eschatology help us to prepare, it helps us to live anchored to hope right now. Studying eschatology gives us the opportunity to see and grow in understanding of the Lord’s sovereignty, strengthening our trust in him. God is a promise keeper and if he promises to us a new heaven, a new earth, a place where there is no more suffering, death or pain – well that is something to hold on to right now – TODAY.
We study Eschatology for the GOOD NEWS and be reminded to pray, pray hard for hearts to turn to the Lord.
As always, I hope this helps you love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.
RESOURCES
Again, this is Eschatology 101 and these are only the most basic outline of the three main viewpoints. There are other viewpoints and I would leave that discussion to those far more qualified. Find my favorite studies and resources in the links below.
Bible Thinker with Mike Winger : DIFFERENT CHRISTIAN VIEWS OF REVELATION
The Village Church : Matt Chandler : REVELATION SERIES
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